Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-12
On Mont Blanc.

AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE THREE DAYS
sOJOUKN or TWO FRENCH SCIENTISTS.
The scientific world win be interested In the
forthcoming facts with regard to his three days
soJourn on the summit OF Mont Blanc which M
Joseph vallot will lay before the French academy
as soon as he has arranged his documents Mean
while the greater public will read with interest of
the details Of the perfIous undertaking Of NJ vallot
and NJ. F. NJ. Richard. two Frenchmen who have
pitched their tents on the fearful heights in order
OF the best known members OF the French Alpine
Club, whose observations on the Pyrenese glaciers
and on certain Alpine peaks have been OF great
observations he attempted to erect three
temporary meteorological stations on Mont Blanc,
the Iirst Of which was situated at ChamOunix, the
second at the Rockers des Grands MuletS ana the
third on the top OF the mountain. N. Richard who
accompanied him, Is constructor Of scientific in
to carry the necessary luggage, OF which no man
is able TO carry more than twenty pounds. Early
at O'Clock the expedition started, but owing 70
at the Grand Muleis till 10 O'Clock at night, which
as a rule, Is reached early In the afternoon I'd
special incident marked the frst days journey,
which serves as q shelter TO Observation-Disclosures
At q. m. the caravan started once more
thus I'll, time rS On tine most dicult part Of
disposed, and both NM. vaiiot and 1 Rchar r
ness. When they reached the summit at last. at
2:30 p. M, both travellers sat down on the snow.
utterly worn out The guides threw down their
burdens and began TO descend a. once and onlv
two OF the number remained with the SctentfstS
They pitched the tent, lighted the petroleum
lamp, and prepared the dinner, after which M
vallOt, who had regained his strength, went out
and placed his apparatus on the plateau in the
biting cold. At 4 a. m. the energetic Frenchman
was about again, calling his companions TO View
the sunrise. NJ Richard, however, as wei as the
two guides, looked at the magnificent spectacle
with mixed feelings, their state OF health and
comfort being by no means perfect. After an
the Instruments were placed aud several obserys.
tons taken, visitor, an Englishman, appeared
on the peak, and speedily turned back Chamou-
nix-wald. The second night was passed more
comfortably in heavy coats, linen masks and FUR
lined snow boots the temperature sttll remafnfno
extremely low. The following day was snenGf
In experimenting. but 50 great became the weart
ness and weakness OF the whole party that tbev
could only swallow few spo0nfuls OF c0ffee
or soup. At next morning another I'm
giishman arrived with letters from Chamou.
nix. At 2 p. m. terrible storm broke out
over the peak, threatening every moment 10 carry
away the tent. N. valiOt, on leaving the tent
noticed o curious phenomenon around him: he
was In the midst OF electric clouds, and All his
DAY began to dawn the sky became clear: me last
experiments were made, and the descei,t be,sn
proving, after the storm, which had effao2d All
traces or path, far more formidabIe than the -
cent. AT last however, at pm, ChanaouniT Wa
reached, and the whole Population Of the TOWN
headed by the matre, received tina snctseas r,si
climbers with gifts Of flowers and conefa fnisrfnns
at having been the nrst TO Accomplish 20 danrer.
Gus an expedition.